Our Aquatics classes include on-campus classes such as Swim, Lifeguarding, and SCUBA, as well as off-campus classes offered by the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. Classes and programs vary from semester to semester.
This semester-long course is designed for adults who are new to swimming or looking to build confidence in the water. Taught by an experienced instructor, the class offers a supportive and welcoming environment where participants will be introduced to water safety, breath control, floating techniques, and the foundational skills of the main strokes—including freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke. Whether you're overcoming a fear of water or learning to swim for the first time, this class focuses on comfort, confidence, and skill development at your own pace. No prior swim experience is required.
Options available:
- For-Credit Class (available for undergraduate students only, 0.5 credits)
- Non-Credit Program (open to any community member with a Torero ID card or Facilities Use Pass)
- Individuals without a Torero ID card must also have a Facilities Use Pass in order to take this program (fee applies)
This program is designed for intermediate to advanced swimmers who are looking for a non competitive way to stay in shape and refine skills. Class is held in the USD Sports Center pool. Workouts range from 1500-3200 yards but can also be individually tailored with the help of an experienced coach. The program is Monday and Wednesday.
Options available:
- For-Credit Class (available for undergraduate students only, 0.5 credits)
- Non-Credit Program (open to any community member with a Torero ID card or Facilities Use Pass)
- Individuals without a Torero ID card must also have a Facilities Use Pass in order to take this program (fee applies)
*To get into this class, you must be able to swim a minimum of 500 continuous yards (front stroke/free style). Beginners should not take this class as it is not designed to teach people how to swim.
Get your American Red Cross certification in Lifeguarding right here at USD! With training taking place right here at our facility, students will complete an online hybrid training course before coming in person to perform their swim test, learn CPR/AED, practice rescues and rescue techniques, and more. Students are given 1-2 weeks to complete the online course and are required to attend the in-person sessions as noted on the semester's schedule.
Students who complete their LG certification are also encouraged to apply to lifeguard right here at USD for the summer swim program!
Course is offered Spring term only
Course outline:
- Complete the self-paced online learning modules (approx. 8 total hours)
- On the first day of the in-person class day, participants must pass a swim test that includes the following:
- 300 Yard Swim: Completing a 300 yard continuous swim (freestyle or breast stroke approved)
- Water Tread: Completing a continuous 2-minute water tread with hands out of the water the entire time
- Timed Brick Retrieval: Starting form on-deck, participants must jump into the water, swim approx 10 yards, dive down 8-11 feet deep, retrieve a 10lb weighted brick, upon breaking the surface the brick must remain out of the water while the participant swims to the pool edge to place the brick on deck. Finally the participant must get out of the water without using a ladder. This is a timed test and it must be completed in 120 seconds from start to finish.
- If the participant passes the swim test, they may continue on with the remaining in-person session
- Complete the 24 hours of in-person skills demonstration and testing. This includes CPR/AED and First Aid for the professional Rescuer.
If all elements are completed and passed, the participant will receive a Lifeguard Certificate from The Red Cross that includes CPR/AED/First Aid for the Professional Rescuer and that is valid for 2 years.
Experience the beauty of the underwater world first hand. This class will fully prepare you for the experience of SCUBA diving.
Included in the program:
- Five combination video presentations and discussion sessions on the knowledge, judgment and technical aspects of diving (classes held on campus)
- Four pool sessions to acquire the watermanship skills necessary to be a safe diver (held in the USD SC Pool)
- One ocean orientation lecture dealing with water conditions, marine plants, and animals found in this area
- Ocean dives are held off campus- transportation is not provided.
- Four open water dives for practical experience in an ocean environment on Saturdays
- Ocean dives are held off campus
- An internationally recognized PADI certification card is earned upon completion of this course
*Transportation is not provided for this class. Students must be able to pick up and drop off provided dive gear at Ocean Enterprises Store Location.
Two off campus meeting locations are:
Store Location: 7710 Balboa Ave, SD 92111
Ocean Location: 2107 Vallecitos, La Jolla, CA 92037
Fee Breakdown:
- USD Admin fee due upon course registration: $10
- Fees to Ocean Enterprise:
- Class tuition: $299
- eLearning Course: $195
- Materials: $44
- Total: $564 (Normal pricing is $673, saving USD participants about $110)
Included in this cost is some of your SCUBA diving rental gear. What is not included, but still required, is a personal SCUBA Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Boots and gloves. These items can be purchased at a discount from the shop or rented for a discounted rate of $99 for the whole class.
For any questions Regarding this course please contact Ocean Enterprises directly at Info@oceanenterprises.com or 1-858-565-6054
This course is only offered varied semesters. The prerequisite for this class is Open Water Diver Certification. The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about advancing your skills. You'll practice navigation and buoyancy, try deep diving and make three specialty dives of your choosing (it's like a specialty sampler platter). For every specialty dive you complete, you can earn credit toward PADI® specialty certifications. The remaining 3 specialties will be discussed at the beginning of class.
This course consists of 1 in person classroom session, a Online training course, and 5 Ocean Dives.
*Transportation is not provided for this class. Students must be able to pick up and drop off provided dive gear at Ocean Enterprises Store Location.
Two off campus meeting locations are:
Store Location: 7710 Balboa Ave, SD 92111
Ocean Location: 2107 Vallecitos, La Jolla, CA 92037
Fee Breakdown:
- USD Admin fee due upon course registration: $10
- Fees to Ocean Enterprise:
- Class tuition: $199
- eLearning Course: $184
- Gear Rentals: $75
- Total: $484
Note: Normal cost for this class is $640, so taking the course through USD saves students about $150!
Included in this cost is some of your SCUBA diving rental gear. What is not included, but still required, is a personal SCUBA Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Boots and gloves. These items can be purchased at a discount from the shop or rented for a discounted rate of $99 for the whole class.
Students will receive a 10% discount on any additional gear purchases in the store.
For any questions regarding this course please contact Ocean Enterprises directly at info@oceanenterprises.com or 1-858-565-6054
The PADI® Rescue Diver course will change the way you dive – in the best possible way. Learn to identify and fix minor issues before they become big problems, gain a lot of confidence, and have serious fun along the way.
Discover why countless divers say Rescue Diver is their favorite scuba course.
- Prerequisites: Adventure Diver / Junior Adventure Diver (or qualifying
certification) with completed Underwater Navigation Dive; EFR Primary and
Secondary Care training* (or qualifying training) within 24 months - Total time commitment: 4-7 days
- Minimum age: 12 years or older
*EFR Primary & Secondary Care refers to completion of CPR/AED (primary) and First Aid (secondary) certification.
Transportation is not provided for this class. Students must be able to pick up and drop off provided dive gear at Ocean Enterprises Store Location.
Two off campus meeting locations are:
Store Location: 7710 Balboa Ave, SD 92111
Ocean Location: 2107 Vallecitos, La Jolla, CA 92037
Fee Breakdown:
- USD Admin fee due upon course registration: $10
- Fees to Ocean Enterprise:
- Rescue Diver tuition: $300
- Course Materials: $211
- Retail Price: $511
- USD Student Total: $435
Included in this cost is some of your SCUBA diving rental gear. What is not included, but still required, is a personal SCUBA Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Boots and gloves. These items can be purchased at a discount from the shop or rented for a discounted rate of $99 for the whole class.
Students will receive a 10% discount on any additional gear purchases in the store.
For any questions regarding this course please contact Ocean Enterprises directly at info@oceanenterprises.com or 1-858-565-6054
SPRING 2027 DIVEMASTER COURSE OUTLINE (coming soon...)
Learn how to lead underwater tours, assist with scuba classes and inspire others to care about the ocean. Hone your skills and be the diver everyone admires.
PADI Divemaster is the most popular and most recognized professional scuba certification in the world. PADI Divemasters enjoy abundant career opportunities, get paid to scuba dive and share their love for the ocean.
- Prerequisites: PADI Rescue Diver certification (or qualifying certification);
completion of EFR Primary and Secondary Care training* (or qualifying training) within 24 months; minimum 40 logged dives;
medically evaluated and cleared for diving by a physician within 12 months. - Total time commitment: 40 hours
- Minimum age: 18 (15 for Junior Divemaster)
*EFR Primary & Secondary Care refers to completion of CPR/AED (primary) and First Aid (secondary) certification.
Transportation is not provided for this class. Students must be able to pick up and drop off provided dive gear at Ocean Enterprises Store Location.
Two off campus meeting locations are:
Store Location: 7710 Balboa Ave, SD 92111
Pool Sessions: 3756 Mast Blvd, Santee 92071
Ocean Location: 2107 Vallecitos, La Jolla, CA 92037
Fee Breakdown:
- USD Admin fee due upon course registration: $10
- Fees to Ocean Enterprise:
- Course tuition: $785
- Course Materials: $444
- USD Student Registration Total: $1099 (Non USD Retail Price: $1371)
- Additional course fees that vary year to year include:
- Divemaster Application fee (paid to PADI at time of certification): $165
- Catalina fees: Vary on needs but usually $100 for the ferry and $40 for tank/weight rental on Catalina Island.
Included in this cost is some of your SCUBA diving rental gear. What is not included, but still required, is a personal SCUBA Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Boots and gloves. These items can be purchased at a discount from the shop or rented for a discounted rate of $99 for the whole class.
Students will receive a 10% discount on any additional gear purchases in the store.
For any questions regarding this course please contact Ocean Enterprises directly at info@oceanenterprises.com or 1-858-565-6054